Exploring the Role of the Internet and New Social Media in Developments in the Middle East and North Africa (Information, Organization and Rapid Expansion of Developments)

One of the most important issues relevant to the formation and expansion of developments in the Middle East is the role of new media, the Internet as well as virtual and social networks. Media, the Internet, and social networks such as Facebook and Twitter enhance awareness among the different walks of society and especially the youth in regional countries. They direct the attention of people to what is going on in their surroundings and accelerate the pace of developments. Directing public opinion in social networks is carried out in two stages; first, networking in virtual space and second networking and participation in real space. Therefore, as we witnessed, the role played by social networks in community building in some regional countries created crises and along with other factors, paved the way for the reforming of political systems or overthrowing of regimes in the region. This article, while studying the characteristics of media and social networks, evaluates their role in developments in the Middle East.